Season of promise begins with a stalemate

A try midway through the second half from new signing Isa Nacewa saved Leinster from an opening day defeat to last seasons closest rivals, but Michael Cheika and Alan Gaffney know vast improvement is imperative if this season is to be as fulfilling as many suggest.

This was a game the Cardiff Blues should have won, but tellingly, as the final whistle approached, it was Leinster who looked the more likely to snatch the four points. After taking so much punish for close to an hour, the resilience and determination of his squad will be the only positive Michael Cheika can take from this awkward season opener.

Leinster started the stronger and opened the scoring after several minutes of positive rugby. Good running lines and support set up a ruck close to the Cardiff 22, and after a typical burst from man-of-the-match Malcolm O’Kelly, a Cardiff player was pinged for coming off his feet. Felipe Contepomi chipped over an easy three pointer.

In reality, the penalty should have been given the way of the hosts after Shane Jennings’ reckless and impatient use of the boot landed inches from Andy Powell’s head. The referee and his assistants missed it, but it’s hard to believe a sighting commissioner will be so lax with the rules. As the half panned out, this was about the only time Leinster played with such fury.

Throughout the half, the contrasting styles of the sides become glaringly obvious. Cardiff played with great intensity and continuity, whereas Leinster ran one-off moves and players were poorly supported leading to a dizzying array of turnovers. The ease with which Martyn Williams and co. moped up Leinster possession, and their own dreadful technique in safely securing the pill will be especially alarming to the coaching staff.

Cardiff’s back row was prominent all over the park, with Ma’ama Molitika and Powell bursting through some tepid Leinster tackling. What kept Leinster in the game were spilled passes symbolic of early season rust. A moment of magic fron Nacewa, and another moments later from O’Driscoll, were all Leinster could muster.

Rob Kearney was lucky to escape punishment after a deliberate knock down with Leinster massively outnumber on the left. The referee had already spotted an infringement close to the touch line, and to add insult to injury, Cardiff’s decision to kick to the corner was scuppered by Devin Toner’s fine steal.

It was only a matter of time before Leinster cracked, and this duly occured withing seconds. A ruck under the posts was successfully repelled, but spotting vast numbers to the right, Jason Spice moved it on to Ben Blair who touched down despite the best efforts of O’Driscoll and Kearney. For good measure, Blair added the touchline extras.

Another marauding run from Molitika, aided by Powell and the influential Robinson led to a siege on the Leinster try-line, but a vital bear hug from Jennings and huge hit from Nacewa turned Cardiff’s thinking from a seven pointer – Robinson stepped back and landed a sweet drop goal. 10-3 at half time, but all the possession, territory and chances were with the hosts.

The restart didn’t offer much respite for the Champions, with Blair missing his second kickable chance of the game. Sexton was soon fitting his tracksuit, as Girvan Dempsey joined the battle to alter the look of the Leinster backs. Nacewa moved to 10, and immediately the balance shifted towards Leinster. Nacewa showed off his kicking repertoire, and the Blues failed to heed the warning as the game moved along.

Contepomi landed two further penalties, with a solitary response from Blair. 13-9 approaching the final quarter was an embarrassment for Cardiff, and it was only going to get worse. Nacewa boomed an up-and-under, Keanery half collected, the ball ricocheted to O’Kelly, who spotted Nacewa burning down his right. The vision was exemplary and Nacewa skated home from 40 meters. Who would have believed it? Leinster 16-13 in front.

Possession was paramount, but after another Nacewa aerial bombardment, Dempsey was inexplicably caught in an offside position. Blair landed the 50 meter kick, and after some frantic and frenetic rugby, which produced more glorious magic from Nacewa, Leinster almost stole the show, but Kearney’s late drop goal sailed agoinisingly wide.

Referee Andy MacPhearson blew full time on what was a quality game of rugby played in near-perfect conditions, unlike Ravenhill and Murrayfield. Vast improvement, particularly in the backs, plus some personal changes is needed. The good news, however, came from Twickenham, as reports filtered through of London Wasps’ crushing defeat to London Irish.

Player Ratings

15. Isa Nacewa:A couple of missed tackles marred an otherwise encouraging debut. His kicking from hand, aerial takes and attacking flair were all high class, and he took his try extremely well. Looked better when moved to fly-half for the hapless Jonno Sexton. 7

14. Shane Horgan:After giving Leinster so much for eight seasons, Horgan was entitled some room to get himself out of the rot. However, the Meath-man is now living on borrowed time. Another sub-par performance from a ridiculously experienced winger, Horgan was wasteful in possession and unsure in the air. Called ashore after 60 minutes indicates the pressure is on. 3

13. Brian O’Driscoll:Showed some early season errors, particularly in defence, but was fairly prominent throughout. One stunning break in the first period should have yielded a try, but Leinster and O’Driscollcan be happy with another eighty minutes under his belt. 7

12. Felipe Contepomi:The indifferent form continues, notably in defence for someone previously so tough in this aspect of the game. His importance for Leinster is immeasurable though with his draw-saving 4 from 4 with the boot. Better to come. 6

11. Rob Kearney:Shunted to wing to accomodate Nacewa, Kearney’s form continues to flow oppositely to Contepomi’s. Not as flash as the new full back, but defined efficiency throughout. His left boot is an ever increasing advantage. Showing signs of leadership too. Leinster’s best back. 8

10. Jonno Sexton:The fans still have mixed opinions of the Mary’s man, and after tonight, those advocating his inclusion will be sleeping rather uneasily. His weak defensive kicking and sloopy passing put Leinster in trouble until his early withdrawal on 46 minutes. Leinster stabilised after, and Nacewa’s moment of magic came from 10. The jury is very much still out. 4

9. Chris Whitaker:The stand-in captain was commitment and leadership personified, but poor decisions were prevalent in his game. Not helped by his partners incompetency, but Leinster will demand better. Scrum half was one of those areas highlighted as a potential weakness, and those fears have not been put to bed. 5

1. Cian Healy:The scrum struggled throughout, and although Healy was the least responsible of the props, the assurance offered by Knoop when he made his seasonal bow should see the Belvo man demoted. Still looks a better prospect from the bench. 5

2. Bernard Jackman:Only Malcolm O’Kelly’s brilliance could deny Jackman the man of the match award. The new line-out ELVsare supposed to hinder hookers in possession, and the way the other games went over the weekend, Jackman had proper cause for concern. His response was legendary – 100% with the ball in flight. All action around the park. Great effort. 8

3. Ronnie McCormack: Struggled badly against the most capped Welsh prop in history. Hardly his fault after nearly 20 months out injured. The scum creaked and wheeled, so Wrights return to fitness will be crucial. May be asked to soldier on again next week. 5

4. Malcolm O’Kelly:Who said the old dog was ready for the knackers yard? What a performance. Error free and peerless in the air, O’Kelly totally dominated his opposite number Paul Tito, captain and darling of the Cardiff Blues. The vision for Nacewa’s try was befitting of his supposed illustrious backs. 9

5. Devin Toner:The big man produced his best game in the Leinster blue (or should I say white?). Helped by Leinster’s unrivaled supremacy in the air, but the line-out steal on the Leinster try-line saved a possible score concession. Encouraging. 7

6. Cameron Jowitt:Earned his place over Stephen Keogh after a strong pre-season, Jowitt tonight looked like he was merely keeping the jersey warm for Rocky Elsom’s necessary arrival. Leinster’s back row was smashed by Cardiff, but he did offer some decent offloads in attack. 6

7. Shane Jennings:Has had to bide his time to claim the openside jersey, Jennings now has the rampant Sean O’Brien breathing down his neck. Anonymous throughout apart from a couple of reckless first half stamps, which amazingly went un-noticed. Bettered by the brilliant Martyn Williams. 5

8. Jamie Heaslip:Not his usual rampaging best, but these are the standards he has set. Leinster needed a cool head, though, after moving in front, and Heaslip answered the call. Captain in the waiting. 7

Substitutes:

Girvan Dempsey: Replaced Sexton early in the second half. Proved a calming presence in the hellish finish, but all the good work undone by a moment of madness that conceded the final three points. Could make a return next week. 7

Stephen Knoop:The Leinster scrum was driven into the ground before Knoop saved the day. If he’s fit, he will play. Wrights injury and van der Linde’s ban mean cotton wool will be in heavy supply for ex-Connacht prop next week. 7

Luke Fitzgerald, Sean O’Brien and John Fogerty:Not on long enough to be rated, but Fogerty continued the good aerial work started by Jackman. Hopefully they have signed a replacement hooker of note.